On September 20th 2001, the 27th General Chapter elected Jan Hulshof as the 12th Superior General of the Society of Mary. Fr Jan was born in the Netherlands in 1941, professed a Marist in 1960 and ordained priest in 1966. He was assigned to the faculty of Theology, Munster, Germany for doctoral studies. In 1972-77, he worked as an industrial chaplain and then in parish ministry. In 1977 he was elected to the General Council and in 1980 as Provincial of the Province of Holland for 8 years. From 1983 he gave part time service as theological adviser to the Dutch Bishops Conference. He spent 1988/9 on sabbatical in Peru and recently a year at La Neyliere in the Province of France where Fr. Colin is buried. Jan’s term as General is 8 years. We wish him well and the assurance of our Prayers. He will be visiting NZ next year to preach the annual retreat to Marists and we may be able to have a gathering of the local Marist family to meet him.

Members of the General Council are:Frs. Craig Larkin, vicar General; Hubert Bonnet-Eymard Rafaele Qalovi & Paul Frechette.

South America:

Seven Marists were professed on 15th February; two from Peru; two from Brazil and one from Venezuela. Four novices began their novitiate a few days later. Praise God! Fr. Barry Malone of NZ is Novice Master.

Oceania: 0n 28 December Fr. Mick O’Connor officiated at the professions of 4 Novices and accepted 12 more to begin formation. Praise God!

Cherished confrere, Brother Lawrence Hampton sm celebrated his diamond jubilee of profession at St Mary’s Manchester St on St. Patrick’s Day. Even the Pope knew about it and sent his Blessing. A doyen of Bougainville, now establishing a reputation as a fine artist in water-colours, Br Lawrence was the toast of many Marists, family and friends. Ad multos annos.

Golden occasions occurred twice in Wellington for Brother Hugh Peacock sm, professed on Annunciation Day 1952. After caring for General House and St Bede’s Communities for years, Hugh is now the constant caring presence at Cerdon Residence.Well done!

Father Denis O’Hagan, elected Provincial by the Marist Priests and Brothers of NZ late last year, and who took office early April, 2002, used Ecclesia in Oceania as his first “editorial” to the province.

Needled by the new word 'parrhesia' in the text of Pope John Paul, Denis told us that parrhesia is a way of expressing what one thinks is true in a manner that is guileless, devoid of any trick of persuasion, avoids flattery and is not muted by fear. The speaker expresses what is in his heart and mind in such a way that his listeners can understand precisely what he thinks.

It requires courage because the truth is not always palatable and the speaker risks making people angry; he risks criticism, rejection and in the most extreme cases, he risks his life.”

The constant theme of John Paul’s papacy has been “ Be not afraid”- “do not be afraid of God’s mystery; do not be afraid of His Love; do not be afraid of man’s weakness or of his grandeur!” Even though many walk with us no more, God is with his people, at all times, always and in every way.

Today is as full or opportunity as any other time. What is required is boldness and a passionate embracing of the world as is, rather than grieving for the world as it was, or yearning for a world as we would like it to be.”

Five Students enter Marist Seminary and enrol at Good Shepherd College.

Damian Dempsey sm was ordained priest by Cardinal Williams at Avalon, December 15

Light from the East is Fr Craig Larkin’s latest book. It is on the theology of Icons and is available from the Marist Messenger at 88 Hobson St.

One of the major works of the Society of Mary in NZ is to be an equal partner with the nation’s Bishops in ownership and operation of the Theological College.

Good news occurred last December when the Board of the NZ Qualifications Authority advised the College that it has “approved Good Shepherd College’s proposed Bachelor of Theology and has accredited the College to deliver the Bachelor of Theology.” This is wonderful news for it means that Good Shepherd College’s Bachelor of Theology is now a recognised degree in NZ. Both the Society and the Church in NZ owe Fr. Ezio Blasoni and his team a huge debt of thanks for the painstaking work they have done to bring about the academic recognition of the College, also called Te Hepara Pai.Another academic matter of significance is that Fr. Justin Taylor has been invited by the Marist General Administration to take up a position at General House in Marist Studies. His work will involve research and writing for the Society and wider Marist Family; also training younger researchers and resource persons. Justin will still maintain teaching links with Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem.

The new community teams who are to mission in Otara and Feilding, begin a week long meeting 11 March.

The new Otara and Feilding communities met in Wellington for a week a month or two ago, planning their mission. The photo to the right shows the four members of the Otara Team, Kalolo Togosia, Kerry Prendeville, Phil King-Turner and Barry Scannell. Allan Jones helped them reflect upon the Church’s call to those involved in the work of evangelisation. Their first step in evangelising is through their witness – as a community of brothers living and working together.

Fridge magnets, which are so popular in NZ homes for “clipping” papers to fridge doors are being used by our Vocations team. They are great gifts to likely lads and lasses! If you would like some, then write to Fr. Pat Breeze at 26 Hayr Road Three Kings Auckland 1004 and order. A koha/donation would be helpful to them.

Photo of the launch of www.smnz.org.nz shows Fr. Carl Telford at the keyboard of the computer, surrounded by fellow Marists: (standing from left) Dan Connell, Brian Wysocki, Denis O’Hagan, Peter Roe, and sitting, Paul Williamson – photo supplied by John Murphy sm

On April 8th, this year’s feast of the Annunciation, NZ Marists launched www.smnz.org.nz. This is the virtual home of the Society of Mary in New Zealand and is the product of the Marist Internet Project team.It is an effort to establish an online identity for ourselves as Marists on mission. The Website introduces the Province, gives a summary explanation of what it means to be a Marist, outlines the province’s contribution to the international missions of the Society and keeps visitors in touch with the works of the province.

The web is a dynamic medium and these pages will develop and change as new information comes to hand. As an expression of the evolving nature of the site, we are expecting features on Good Shepherd College, Moerewa, the Hokianga and the Cook Islands and others.

The work of the Marist Internet project is an example of establishing the Church where it does not yet exist. The project developed as a result of the 1996 Assembly and the ensuing provincial chapter.

The project can also be seen as a

Marist response to the Holy Father’s request “I dare to summon the whole Church bravely to cross this new threshold, to put out into the deep of the Net, so that now as in the past the great engagement of the Gospel and culture may show the world “the glory of God on the face of Christ” (2Cor 4:6) (2002 World Communications Day Message.)

www.smnz.org.nz is well worth a visit. Let us know what you think and give us your news.

The Mission Estate Vinery, New Zealand’s oldest winemaker continues to thrive in this new century. On February 28th at Greenmeadows, student home to so many Marist Priests and Brothers and visited by so many people associated with them, the new sales outlet was blessed and open by the Provincial of the Society Fr. Allan Jones.

Past Rector of Mount St. Mary’s, Father Grahame Connolly, spoke eloquently, as always, on the seven ages of the venture since 1851,and wished this new age for the buildings good fortune and blessings.

About forty Marists gathered, with over a hundred other people who had been associated with the vineyard and cellars over recent decades. for a celebration on the lawn between the date palms on a warm and calm Hawke’s Bay evening.

A highlight of the night was the unexpected voice of a Diva: Dame Malvina Major, who dressed in splendour, befitting a State Occasion, sang appropriate numbers, like Ave Maria and Bless This House with a Third Order member accompanying her on the piano.

Laylines encourages all friends of the Marist Family to visit Greenmeadows and feel the new spirit that encaptures so much of the old.